DAVID O'LEARY has claimed there is no rift with chairman Doug Ellis despite the Aston Villa manager making public his plans for a summer spending spree.

O'Leary revealed earlier in the month that he had been given "significant funds" to bring in quality players for next season.

Ellis was reported to be upset at these revelations but O'Leary insists he had the backing of the Villa chief in announcing the news a fortnight ago. O'Leary said: "There is no rift between myself and the chairman.

"It was the decision of the chairman and the board that I made public that I will have money to spend. I never disclosed the figure to the media that I'll have available."